Frazer—Description of a Large Silver Plaque. 301 
presents, or at least made shortly after it. Furthermore, so far as I 
can ascertain, the plaque is altogether unique, for it is undescribed in 
those works where it would have been figured and recorded if known. 
I purchased this medallion some time since. It is impossible to as- 
certain its previous history, or who were its former possessors. It is a 
casting made in silver, apparently from an original design executed 
with much spirit, and displaying decided artistic ability. The plaque 
is of large size, measuring four inches in diameter, and having a silver 
ring for suspension. The casting has been worked over by chasing or 
impressing tools, with delicate care, covering much of the surface with 
linear successions of minute raised points. The centre of the medal 
represents in the back ground a church-door and surrounding walls; 
outside is a group of people skilfully disposed, and dressed in the cos- 
tume of the time; two of these, standing in the foreground to the left 
of the field, with unbonneted heads, are addressed by Luther, whose 
right arm is extended, whilst the left arm is bent to his side and sup- 
ports a Bible or book; he is dressed in full academic robes, and although 
the entire figure is less than 2 inches in height, it is easy to recog- 
nize in it a good portrait representation of the Reformer; indeed the 
face is a fair characteristic likeness of his features such as we see them 
in engravings, &c. The broad border surrounding the centre medallion 
bears the inscription ‘‘ Mit Gott begonnen,” in German letters, and 
beneath are the words ‘‘ Zu Wittenberg den 31 October, 1517;” a date 
which corresponds to his famous denunciation of Indulgences and the 
publication of his Thesis, which he caused to be affixed to the door of 
the Castle church at Wittenberg. A copy of the Indulgence was 
exhibited recently in London, and there is a photograph of it in the 
British Museum Handbook of the Luther Exhibition. 
